Theftproof lamp



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gvwcntoz fqqeflllmsefiw 33) In abtom V Oct. 26 1926.

P. S. HASELTON THEFTPROOF LAMP I Filed August 27, 1925 Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,119

P. s. HASELTON THEFTPROOF LAMP Filed August 27. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 851 Glam/ 9 W 4, 6.40% JM Patented Oct. 26, 1926. p

UNITED STATES f1,604,119 PATENT OFFICE.

PAGE S. HASELTON, F IBAYSIDE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOIB TO KULP THEFTPROOI' LAMP COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

THEFTPROOF LAMP.

Application filed August 2'], 1925. Serial No. 52,724.

This invention relates o theftproof electric lamps and particularly to theftproof lamps of a character which may be readily removed from a receptacle after the lamp is worn out and the bulb is broken.

One type of theftproof lamp with which my invention is adapted to be used is disclosed in the patent to D. R. Coughlin, Reissue No. 15.836, May 13, 1924, and comprises a bulb member provided with a threaded shell contact which is initially fixed by a displaceable means against rotation in respect to the bulb member, but such means being displaceable to permit relative rotation of the bulb and contact when the lamp is in theftproof condition in a socket. The lamp in this condition is removable only upon breaking the bulb after which access may be had to the lower edge of the threaded shell contact withcpliers, whereupon the contact and remaining port ons of the lamp base may be'removed from the receptacle to permit renewal of the lamp. With such an arrangement, however, it is sometimes very difficult to remove the threaded shell contact after the bulb is broken particularly if the contact has become jammed or corroded in place.

Accordingly, a purpose of this invention is to provide means whereby authorized persons may easily and quickly remove the threaded shell contacts and lamp bases of such theitproof lamps after the bulbs have 7 been broken.

My, invention in certain of its phases is also adaptable for use with theftproof lamps v of types other than that of the Coughlin patent above mentioned.

Further and more specific objects, features and advantages will more clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the drawings which form a part of this specification. The invention comprises the novel arrangements and combination of parts embodied by way of example, in the apparatus hereinafter described, as illustrating preferred forms of the invention, and the invention may bemore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention- Fig. 1 is a central sectional view through the base of the lamp embodying one form of the invention. A key or wrench means is also illustrated in operative osition for removing the lamp base after t e bulb has been broken;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view through the base of a lamp embodying the invention in a modified form;

Fig. 4 is asectional view taken substantially upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the end of a tool designed for use in removing a lamp base of the type shown in Figs. 3 and 4 from a receptacle after the bulb has been broken;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustuzrating a further modification of the invenion;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating a tool designed to cooperate with the structure shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 illustrates a side elevational view showing the exterior appearance of another modification of the invention as installed in operative position in a conventional form of socket;

Fig. 9 is a central sectional view through the base of a lamp of the type shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but illustrating the lamp base and socket after the bulb has been broken and certain parts have been removed; and r Fig. 11 is a detailed sectional view illustrating a further modification of the invention which may be embodied in the lamp as shown in Fig. 8. I

In general, the invention as illustrated may comprise an electric lamp bulb, 10, of standard construction, a base member, 11, adapted to be securely cemented upon the stem or neck. 12, of the lamp bulb and a. threaded shell contact, 13, for embracing the base member, 11.

It will be understood that I do not desire to restrict the application of my invention to its use with lamp bulbs, since various other types of electrical apparatus, such as plug fuses, thermoionic valves, and the like,

may be substituted for the lamp bulb, 10, and rendered theftproof in accordance with this invention.

The base member, 11, may comprise a cylindrical shell contact, 14, upon which the threaded shell contact, 13, is loosely fitted. The shell contact, 14, may be provided with way, the receptacle member serves to -preone or more pin or rivet members as at 15, which may enga e or extend through the shell contact, 13, or the purpose of initially fixing the shell contact against rotation relative to the lamp base and lamp. 7

It will be observed that when the base member, 11, is rotated as by asping the bulb 10 for inserting the lamp into a receptacle, the-shell contact, 13, will also be rotated because of the rivet connection, 15. In this manner, the threaded shell contact may be screwed into the receptacle. The lamp or other electrical apparatus may be thus inserted and removed from the receptacle as often as desired, as long as no abnormal rotational forces are exerted thereon. However, when it is desired to render the device theftproof, the threaded shell contact may be screwed home in a receptacle and then if an abnormal and additional force is exerted to screw the device further inwardly the rivet or rivets as at 15 will be sheared. Thereafter, the shell contact 13 will be free for rotational movement in res ect to the base member 11 and, according when an attempt is made to remove the lamp from its receptacle by turning the bulb the base member, 11, will merely freely rotate within the threaded shell contact and without exerting rotational force upon such contact. Hence, the bulb or other apparatus, together with the base member, 11, will be merelyrotated and cannot be removed.

After the lamp or other electrical apparatus has become worn out so that it is desirable to remove the same, the operator may place a canvas or other bag over the glass portion of the lamp and thereupon break the lamp. The canvas bag will retain the particles of broken glass. Access may then be had to the interior of the base for removal thereof in the manner hereinafter described.

The threaded shell contact, 13, may be.

permanently retained against the longitudinal movement in respect to the lamp by means of the flange, 18, at the lower edge of the contact and a flange, 17, at the upper edge or end thereof. The flange, 16. is adapted to be spun over and to abut a beaded portion, 18, formed upon the base member near its lower edge. The flange, 17, is adapted to be spun over a flange portion, 19, at the upper edge of the base member, 11.

From an inspection of Figure 1, it will be observed that the lower portions of the flange, 16, may be located at a point which will be well within the receptacle member in which the lamp may be inserted. In this vent access to the threaded shell contact member and accordingly this member cannot be turned either inwardly or out of the receptacle by tampering while the lamp or upper end of-the base member, 11. Lead wires, 22 and 23, from the lamp filament or other electrical devices may be elect-rically connected to the contacts, 13 and 20, respectively, in any suitable manner.

It will be noted that the rivet or pin member, 15, as illustrated, is of a small cross-section so that it -may be readily sheared by the relative rotation of the base member and the contact, 13. The exact dimensions of the pin, of course, will depend upon the strength of the material of which it is made. A section of soft iron wire has been found to provide suitable material. As indicated in the drawings, the rivet passes through perforations in the'contacts,'13 and '14, the rivet being of such diameter as to closely fit these perforations. The inner and outer ends of the rivet member are preferably slightly headed, as indicated, in order to prevent them from drawing through the'perforations before the shearing action takes place. After the shearing action has been effected, the outer end of the rivet may drop out, whereas the inner end of the rivet will remain within the beaded portion 18. The shearing action is such that the rivet will be sheared along a predetermined line and with a smooth cut. The sheared ends of the rivet hence will thereafter offer no resistance to the free turning of the threaded shell contact.

The threaded "shell contact 13 and the side walls of the base member are during their manufacture perforated at several points around their circumference, for example, thethreaded shell contact may be perforated in several places as indicated at 2 1 and the side wall of the base member including the cement may be perforated in two places as indicated at 25, the perforations or spaces in the contact and base member being directly communicative'when manner above described and when worn out the bulb may be broken. Thereupon a key or wrench member 26 may be inserted into the interior of the base member. The key member 26 comprises a handle 27 provided with suitably curved s ring prongs as at 28 for entering the per orations 24 and 25. The ends of the pirongs 28 may be sharpened in order to rea ily pierce the glass walls of the bulb member at the perforations 25. The ron 28 are preferably formed of flexib e ro or wire and are normally properly spaced from each other to just permit their insertion into the perforations 25. The handle 27 may then be thrust upwardly with sufficient force to separate the prongs 28 and cause their insertion into the perforations 25 and into engagement with the perforations 24 in the threaded shell contact. The handle may then-be turned to screw out the threaded shell contact and enclosed base member.

Fig. 3 illustrates a lamp bulb 29 provided with a shoulder 30 and a neck portion 31. extending into a base member32 which except for the details hereinafter described may be similar to the lamp base member above described. The base member 32 may be provided with a c lindrical shell 33 having a' lower annular anged edge 34 engaging the a bulb. A threaded shell contact 35 may likewise be rovided at its lower ed e with an annular ange 36 of substantial width which of Fig. 4. It will be noted that theopenings 37 or perforations 38 'will be normally concealed or covered by the shoulder 30 of the lamp bulb. Accordingly, while the lamp bulb is in operative condition the wrench engaging openings will be inaccessible. However, at the termination of the usefulness of the lamp the bulb may be broken whereupon the wrench engaging openings will become exposed. As'uitable tool sucli.:

as a key or wrench means 39 as illustrated in Fig. 5 may be then used for engagement with the openings 37 for turning the threaded shell contact out of the receptacle; A tool 40 as illustrated in Fig. 7 ma be used where wrench engaging openings 0 the type shown in Fig. 6 are used.

The tools 39 and 40 may comprise tubular members 41 and 42 respectively formed preferably of insulating material in order to reduce the liability of electrical shock to the operator in case an attempt is made to remove the lamp base while power is being supplied to the receptacle. The'member 41 is preferably formed of a tubular shape so that the fi ament supporting post of the lamp bulb-may extend into the interior of the tube in case this post is not broken at the time the other parts of the lass bulb are broken. The upper faces of t e tubular members 41 and 42 may be rovided, respectively, with suitable metalhc inserts 43 and 44 for fitting into the wrench engagin openings 37 and 38. The inserts 43 ma e provided with sharpened edges for s uttering any remaining glass that covers the flange 36 and for insuring positive engagement with the flange.

In Fi s. 8, 9 and 10, a lamp is shown provided with a threaded shell contact 45 which may be rendered theft-proof in the manner above described. The contact 45, however,

as here shown is provided with a downwardly extending flange 46 formed with an suitable wrench or key engaging means such as perforations 47. With the usual types of sockets or receptacles, the wrench engagmg means 47 would be exposed for engagement by suitable tools so that the lamp would not be theftproof. However, by the use of rings illustrated at 48 and 49, these openings will be fully covered and concealed while" the lamp is m operating condition. After the bulb has been broken, however, the ring 49 will drop down or may be drawn downwardly over the flange 47 thus fully exposing the key or wrench engaging means. The rings 48 and 49 ma preferably be formed of. hard fiber or ot er suitable insulating material. The ring 48 should be of such dimensions as to firmly abut the lower .peripheral edges of the receptacle parts and to closely embrace the bulb stem so that it cannot be forced upwardly over the rece tacle. The ring 49 may 'be of cylindrical form and of-suflicient width to fill the space between the ring 48 and the enlarged stem portion of the bulb. The lamp bulb before being inserted in the receptacle is provided with the two rings. After the bulb is locked in position the rings cannot be removed until the bulb is broken, whereupon ring 49may be removed as above stated thus exposing the flange 46.

g In'Fig. 11 a ring 50 is illustrated the function of which is similar to that of the two rings 48 and 49 above described. The ring 50 may be formed of suitable compacted insulation material reinforced by a wire ring 51. Th1s wlre ring serves to prevent crack-' ing or cutting of the ring. 50'by unauthorized persons in attempting'to remove the lamp.

After thebu'lb is broken as-indicated in Fig. 11 the inside face of the flange 46 .is exposed for engagement with suitable tools for removing the base.

It is not desired to limit the invention to the. details or examples herein described since it will be obvious to those skilled in in the appended claims to I Letters Patent of the United States,- is:

the art, 'after'understanding the inventhpn;

that various modifications and substitutions may be madewithout departing from the- I aim thereforescope of the invention, an

cover all such modifications.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure ;by

w 1. A theftproof-lampcomprising a shell contact for engagement with'a conventional receptacle, abulb provided with a'cylindrical base member that is rotatable within the shell contact when the lamp is in theftproof condition within a re'ce tacle, the'side walls of said base being per oratedfor receivin a key which may be inserted and applie to the shell contact from within the neck of the bulb, but only after it has been broken whereby the shell contact may be turned 'out of the receptacle.

2. A theftproof electriclamp comprising a cylindrical supporting shell for engagement with a"-sup.por t-ing receptacle, and a bulb provided with a cylindrical! base member that is rotatable within the supporting shell when the lamp is in theftproof condition within the receptacle, ,said shell being perforated for receiving a key member insertable only from within the neck of the bulbafter it has been broken, for removing the supporting shell from the receptacle.

3. A theftproof 'lamp comprising a shell contact for engagement with a. conventional receptacle, and a bulb provided with a cylindrical base member that is rotatable within .the shell contact when the lamp is in theftproot condition within a receptacle, the side walls of said shell contact being formed withkey engaging means, said bulb being formed to cooperate with receptacle shell portions to cover the parts of said shell contact at said key engaging means whereby said means are rendered accessible only upon breakage of the bulb. I

4. A theft roof lamp comprisinga' shell contact for e gagement with a conventional receptacle, a bulb provided with a-cylindrix cal I base member that is rotatable within the shell contact when the lamp is in theftproof conditon withina receptacle, the-side walls of said shell contact being formed with key engagingmeans, said means being inaccessible by a key until the bulb is broken.

.5. In combination .a theftproof electric lamp' comprising an incandescent glass bulb member, a base therefor including a substantially cylindrical contact member cemented around the bulb stem, means at said base forming a permanent part of the lamp for locking the lamp againstremoval from a locking means, space bein conventional type of threaded receptacle shell, said means including a member which engages the threaded shell receptacle and may. be lodged therein upon screwing the lamp within the receptacle, such member being thenconcealed'in a position inaccessible key member which after the bulb is broken away may be utilized to pierce the glass bulb stem portion and introduce through said space to the locking means to release the lamp base from the receptacle.

6. A theftproof'electric lamp comprising an incandescent glass bulb having a substantially symmetrical and conventional form of stem, a base therefor including a cylindrical contact member cemented around the bulb stem, means at. said base forming a permanent part of the lamp for locking the lamp against removal from a conventional type c of threaded receptacle shell, said means including a member which engages the threaded receptacle shell and may be lodged therein'upon screwing the lamp within the receptacle, such member being then concealed in a position inaccessible from the exterior ,of the socket and adjacent bulb, said member having a portion formed with a key receiving aperture, said aperture being normally covered within the base by the glass of the bulb stem, whereby a key member may be inserted to unlock said member and to thereby release the lamp base from a receptacle, but only when the bulb is broken and the glass stem within the base is broken adjacent said aperture.

7. A theftproof electric lamp comprising an incandescent glass bulb, a base therefor, means substantially concealed from view at said base and forming a permanent part of. the lamp for locking the lamp against re moval from a conventional type of threaded receptacle shell, said means including a mem ber which engages the threaded receptacle Jfrom'the' exterior of the socket and adjacent bulb, a space free of cement within the base and extending from the glass bulb stem di-. ,rcctly' to 'saidlocking means, and a pointed 

